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Are unlimited visa runs by land now allowed in Thailand?
Thai visa rulesvisa runsimmigration policyvisa exemptionland border crossingstourist visasNON-O visa
Jul 29, 2024
2 years ago
Jo **********
ORIGINAL POSTERSomeone in another facebook group is claiming a new rule that visa runs are unlimited by land. Is there any truth in that?
TLDR : Answer Summary
Recent discussions have emerged regarding a potential change in Thailand's immigration policy, specifically about the ability to perform unlimited visa runs by land. Initial reports suggest that some immigration officers may allow unlimited land border crossings following an increase to 60-day visa exemptions. However, this has not been officially confirmed and relies on anecdotal experiences, leading to skepticism among expats. The consensus indicates that while some borders or officers might permit it, the long-term residency implications remain unchanged, and travelers are advised to adhere to established guidelines to avoid deportation. Concerns about clarity in visa rules persist, as many expats feel that official announcements are necessary to eliminate ambiguity.
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Galen *******
As for Visa-Exempt 60days + 30days extension, Visa runs and bounces on the same day are not allowed. You have to stay min. 1 night in another country before you start the same procedure.
Nick **********
Nurachai Ninnad, deputy director-general of the department of consular affairs at minstry of foreign affairs has confirmed in several interviews (one interview with the bangkok post I listened to) that the 2 times limit no longer exists, and thus is now in line with air entries.
Everyone should decide for themselves how much credibility they give to Thai officials. I'm willing to believe him for now. Doesn't affect me either way anyway.
Everyone should decide for themselves how much credibility they give to Thai officials. I'm willing to believe him for now. Doesn't affect me either way anyway.
Graham ******
@Nick *********
Watch this *****************************************************************************
Reply to
Graham ******
Reply
Tin **********
2 land
Unlimit air
Unlimit air
Dca *****
don't understand the relationship, or no relationship, between the other FB Private Group, and this FB Private Group, as, on the face of it, there are at least 2 common Admins ???
both seem to have a common aim of providing Thai Visa Advice/Thailand Visa Advice
both seem to have a common aim of providing Thai Visa Advice/Thailand Visa Advice
Paul *********
Could be, might not be. This is thailand
Jason ********
I’ve never understood why people don’t consult with an immigration attorney.
So soooooo much mis/bad information and the blind leading the blind in social media.
So soooooo much mis/bad information and the blind leading the blind in social media.
John **********
It brings land borders into line with airports. Unlimited just means there is no definitive limit. Land borders will scrutinise ones history in the same way air borders do and people will be refused entry if they're found to be abusing the system
Mike *******
The answer to that will only be known for sure one year from now. In the meantime, in the absence of official publication, it’s all a guess.
Todd *********
Tod Daniels did post a confirmation that land border entries are no longer limited to 2 per year
Colin *********
@Todd ********
that was in another group, where, I believe, Tod Daniels was confirming based solely on 1 Filipino's account, which itself seemed a bit dubious. Tod gives a lot of great advice in regards to Visas, but he shouldn't state this as fact, based on one report at one land checkpoint. But then, Tod doesn't think there's anything wrong with using an Agent to assist a foreigner obtain a long stay Visa when the Agent is using their money to deposit in the bank account of the foreigner and then withdraw it again as soon as the Visa is granted.Todd *********
@Colin ********
yes - in another group. And other confirmations trickling in that the old limit of 2 per year for land border is gone. There are agencies all over the country. Some
In business for decades. All perfectly fine. Westerner unfamiliar with how things work in the real world seem to have difficulty grasping the reality of agencies here
Colin *********
@Todd ********
I've seen posts in the past week (I think with screenshots) of Embassies and Consulates saying that the new 60 day Visa Exempt entries are limited to 2 per calendar year, so what is correct, fact? That obviously means by entering by Air and probably includes land too. Who really knows 🤷🏼If you second paragraph is in response to what I said about Tod and his views on "agencies" and the "real world" many might never have any issues, but in reality, what I was talking about is where agencies bribe IO's which can cause issues 'down the track', including deportation of caught and I just don't think a Moderator or Admin should openly approve of, no matter how things are in the "real world"
Todd *********
@Colin ********
the embassies are often inaccurate. And they have nothing to do with Thai immigration. It does appear that land and air entries are indeed now unlimited. Why would a mod or admin not ‘openly approve’? It’s a very viable option for people in Thailand. People use agencies for a wide variety of reasons. And there is no risk of deportation for goodness sakes. A ton of people with zero experience using agencies love to talk them down. But they are globally prevalent and a growth industry in Thailand. Good Thai people doing a helpful job. That’s how the ‘real world’ works. Many people have understandable issues with the process of immigration and banking. And no desire to put 800k baht in a bank here. So the agencies seem to be doing a very brisk (and helpful) business. 🤷♂️
Reply to
Todd *********
Reply
Ken ***********
I know I am naive, but Thailand should clearly publish the rules on the number of visa exempt entries allowed; it should not be a guessing game.
Luit *****************
@Ken **********
Whys should Thailand communicate this clear to everybody?How many real tourist have problem with the limits and need more land border crossings on their holiday?
Don't forget this visa exempt is only for tourist puposes, not to live in Thailand like some people here seem to think...
Ken ***********
@Luit ****************
all laws and guidelines should be clear and transparent. How can people obey rules they don't fully understand ?Thailand needs to decide how many days per year is too much to stay in Thailand per year. 90? 120? 180? Before they had clear guidelines of not more than 2 visa exempt entries by land pet calendar year..that was clear and people understood.
Luit *****************
@Ken **********
Thailand has very clear rules, visa exempt for short stay tourists, and a lot of visa for all different kind of purposes.Normal tourists have no problem. It is only a group who does not want to pay for the visa or do not comply to rules to live in Thailand who complain.
There are not many tourist needing more than 2 land border crosses, and if they really need more frequently, there is a multiple entry tourist visa. A tourist does not stay 90, 120 or 180 days.
Ken ***********
@Luit ****************
we disagree as does Thai Immigration since they allow more than 2 visa exempt plus extensions which would be 180 days at least per year. I am interested but I am not upset with how others use their time in Thailand. Live and let liveJo **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Ken **********
are you Algonquin Indian.? you used to be DumasKen ***********
@Jo *********
the Algonquin comes from NYC Algonquin roundtableLuit *****************
@Ken **********
Live and let live OK, but there are rules, and with common sense you can understand getting to a border to get a new freebie is a loophole, and not what Thai authorities have meant with their visa system.Of course some Thai also profit from helping "tourists" to use the loophole.
Why should Thai authorities have de duty to explain exactly how the loophole works, then even the helping Thai do not profit anymore from these people that are afraid to spend money for a proper visa.
Exploring such a loophole is OK, but don't complain that authorities don't give all details about it.
When you use the loophole, you can expect to be stopped by an immigration offer sooner or later.
Ken ***********
@Luit ****************
I think we must agree to disagree.I do want to point out in the first sentence of your reply "but there are rules" yet you don't believe that the Thai government should clearly define those rules. It seems like a contradiction.
I do agree that I think many times Thailand makes the rules fuzzy so corruption can flourish.
Reply to
Ken ***********
Reply
Brandon ************
@Ken ******
the last published rule says twice by land. I'd still go with that until a nationwide change in policy has been confirmed. Otherwise for air entries it's the same as every country in the world, where the immigration officer has the discretion to allow you to enter or not based on your patterns, intentions and other data points.
Ken ***********
@Brandon ***********
yes. I agree. Luckily, I am on a Non O and am not directly affected. My only worry is the tax liability for expats which is also not well defined and in flux.Nick ************
@Ken ******
agree with you on the tax situation. I have had conflicting information from those who claim to be professional advisors.Graham ******
@Nick ***********
Financial advisor in Thailand is a protected occupationNick ************
@Graham *****
so what is your point?Graham ******
@Nick ***********
If the tax/financial advisor was a non-Thai it is illegal adviceNick ************
@Graham *****
that is completely irrelevant to what I said.Reply to
Nick ************
Reply
Kool *******
This change was made to make it easier for actual tourists to base out of Thailand as they visit and tour the other countries around Thailand. If you are not following a pattern of a tourist, by actually staying in, and visiting the countries you cross into, then after a short time, just like before, you will be warned, and refused entry for trying to live long term in Thailand on tourist entries. Nothing has changed in that respect.
Frank **********
Not an official news source but "The Thaiger" had reported that it was true. But TIT.
Graham ******
@Frank *********
The Thaiger 555Tore *********
@Graham *****
lol 😆Reply to
Tore *********
Reply
Brandon ************
There is ONE report, that ONE person, at ONE land border, was told by an immigration officer that they can do unlimited land border bounces since the increase to 60 days. We've seen ZERO other reports since then. Is it possible? Yes it's possible. But even if it's true, there are likely to be some borders that allow it and some that do not, or some officers that allow it and some that do not. And it still doesn't change the fact that you cannot live in Thailand on short term stays, so eventually you will get pulled out for it and possibly denied entry, same as the "unlimited by air" entries.
Jeffrey **********
There is a video recently with the director of Foreign Affairs explaining the new visas and yes multiple entries are allowed without limit
Duncan *******
@Jeffrey *********
if you're referring to the RW4U's interview with an MFA spokesperson, they were discussing unlimited entries on the Destination Thailand Visa, not visa-exempt.Graham ******
@Jeffrey *********
Link to the video pleaseBrandon ************
@Jeffrey *********
showing an immigration officer at the border a YouTube video isn't going to get much done if they're standing there telling you no.Jeffrey **********
@Brandon ***********
Correct the immigration officer has the final say. If for some reason they think you're undesirable yes they cannot allow you in the country. However the new rules which were changed under Thai law allows unlimited entrances on land border with the new 60 day fees on arrivalReply to
Jeffrey **********
Reply
Jeffrey **********
@Brandon ***********
incorrectBrandon ************
@Jeffrey *********
enlighten us then. Show us other reports. Give us the document showing the change in policy? Because this is the last one.Peter **********
Reply to
Peter **********
Reply
Jo **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brandon ***********
thank you for this answersReply to
Jo **********
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